A young Waterloo artist recently received first place in a national art competition thanks to his illustration meant to celebrate United States military veterans and the service they perform for our country.

The Illustrating America Art Contest is a national competition organized by the VFW Auxiliary that sees grade school students put their artistic skills to the test as they honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Students can compete in three divisions throughout their education: grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. 

Participants submit their work to be judged within their local VFW auxiliary and then the larger district, with winners moving to the state level. Top artists from each state can then compete nationally.

Watson Bloebaum has been participating in the contest since he was in kindergarten, with he and his mother Tammy saying that the family had first heard about the program during one of their stops at Waterloo VFW Post 6504 for dinner.

Currently 10 years old and set to enter into the fifth grade this fall, Watson said he has won at the local level each year he’s participated, even making it to state previously.

His latest work, a cartoon expressing a simple thanks to veterans, managed to go well beyond the local VFW, taking first place in the VFW Auxiliary national competition.

Contrasting with the second and third place entries which each had a more realistic style and somber tone, Watson’s work is distinctly cartoonish and positive. He explained that he took this approach given his general love of cartoons.

“Growing up, I’ve watched a lot of cartoon TV shows and movies, and I usually really like drawing cartoons because I find it the most easy and fun for me to do,” Watson said.

Watson’s mother also spoke about his artistic inclinations.

“He’s always been an artist,” Tammy said. “Since he’s been big enough to hold a pencil, he’s been doodling and drawing. His brother is into sports and all these things, but he is strictly an artist.”

Tammy further discussed Watson’s sense of patriotism. 

As she described, Watson has heard plenty of stories from his grandfather, a Vietnam War veteran, and the family has also gotten to know veterans thanks to time spent at the Waterloo VFW.

“It’s been great to see him come to get knowledge of what it means to be a veteran,” Tammy said. “It’s not just the art. It’s supporting them through the art. There’s a theme every year, so he’ll sit and figure out ‘How can I best portray that theme and be respectful?’”

On winning an award and standing out among young artists from across the country, Watson’s pride is understandable.

“I’m really excited,” Watson said. “I haven’t really won anything this big before. I’m used to just winning tiny little competitions, but this is more big for me. And I’m just really happy and excited.”

Tammy also had plenty to say about Watson’s achievement.

“It’s really exciting for him,” Tammy said. “He’s won several things like for (Waterloo) PumpkinFest and through his art classes that he does. It’s just exciting for him to get it on this level… It’s so validating when other people say ‘Hey, we appreciate your art. We like your art. We see where you’re coming from, and we like it.’”